Jacob Blair, 27, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in federal prison for his involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine through darknet marketplaces. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and other federal officials.
Criminal Activities and Arrest
Between August 2022 and February 2023, Blair, operating under the moniker “YVS” on the Tor2Door marketplace, sold over 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl and at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. He also distributed counterfeit oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Blair accepted cryptocurrency payments and shipped drugs to various locations, including the District of Columbia.
On February 22, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at Blair’s residence in Aliquippa and other locations. They seized over 20,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, an industrial pill press, and 10 firearms.
Legal Proceedings
Blair pleaded guilty on December 17, 2024, to charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams of methamphetamine, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Blair to serve five years of supervised release.
Co-defendant Dyani Pezzelle also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams of methamphetamine. Pezzelle is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, 2025.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Field Offices in Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh, the DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Strong and Peter Roman of the District of Columbia’s Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) section and Assistant U.S. Attorney DeMarr Moulton of the Western District of Pennsylvania.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat the distribution of illicit drugs through darknet platforms and underscores the serious legal consequences of engaging in such activities.
For more information, refer to the official press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia.
